What About Horse Racing
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
There is a mixed opinion on horse racing in America right now. There are the people who love it and the ones who can’t stand it. I have to admit up until a couple of years ago I was not a fan of horse racing. I’ve always thought that it was just a great excuse to gamble. Well the gambling part was true there are many more parts to horse racing that I didn’t understand. With the Preakness and Kentucky Derby this year there has been a new attention brought back to horse racing. If you’re not a fan of racing read on you might be surprised by the sport.
For years horse racing has been on a steady decline. With Barbaro a couple years ago trying for the Triple Crown and then the horse’s unfortunate demise horse racing jumped back into the American mainstream. Then of course the steroid scandal that broke out after Big Brown last year.
If you have not spent time really watching a race you never can see how majestic it could be. For those who haven’t you read that last line and think I am crazy. The first time I truly sat down and just watched a race was the Belmont Stakes in 2007 when the filly Rags to Riches won. The scene seemed surreal. Rags to Riches was behind at the start and at the end she dueled with the Preakness winner Curlin. At the end the finish was a site to behold. Then I found out this was only the third filly to ever win the Preakness.
While know I don’t sit down at the track and follow ever horse I can appreciate a good race. Jim Rome was like me and has since changed his mind. He now refers to the sport as the Sport of Kings like many in the industry do. From a man that tears apart sports he actually went to buy his own horse.
This year we have the jockey Calvin Borel winning on Mind that Bird at the Kentucky Derby and then switching to Rachel Alexandra the favorite for the Preakness. This has been the first time that this has occurred. This has brought back the attention to a new level in horse racing. The Preakness this year ended up being a showdown between the two famous horses. Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird ended up one two. Rachel Alexandra proved Calvin Borel right for his move taking the title. Mine That Bird made himself a worthy competitor and makes the Belmont a must see race this year.
Ahh yes the Sport of Kings. Maybe you still say no to horse racing. You’ve tuned it out and just don’t want to give it the time. That’s fine. For the rest of us the sport is as impactful as ever. There is a huge showdown coming. We’ve seen the filly win, the biggest upset in 70 years and were not done this year. Get your big hats ready it’s race time.
Author information: I'm a Sagittarius, born under the year of the Dragon (Chinese Calender), dog lover, food buff, and a tech geek. Read more from this author
Tags: horse racing
